Briquette and process of making the same



Patented Aug; 17, 1926.

* N TED PATENT '-Ol l?"I*C]E1.

JOHN P. nE'LzErnoF TAMAQUA, PENNS VANIA, ASSIGNORI To rrnn LEHIGH COAL .AND Ni vIe'aTIoNcoMr NY, or PHILADELPHIA,- PENNSYLVANIA, A conroaa-' TroN or PENNSYLVANIA.

iartroun'rrn ANn raocnss or M KING T E sAivrn..

N'o Drawing.

The invention relates more particularly to fuel briquettes utilizing sulfite liquor,

molasses, molasses residue, desugarized'molasses or similar substances as one ingredient of their binder. Briquettesmade with binders of the above nature have usually proved to be weak in their weather resisting qualities, and their manufacture has required heat treatment over a comparatively long period.

The present invention aims to improve briquettes of the above nature, both as to their weather resisting and other qualities, and as to their process of manufacture. One important object is to shorten the time of heat treatment necessary to produce a satisfactory briquette;

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part specifically pointed out in the description hereinafter contained, wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed; such embodiment, however, is to be considered as merely illustrative of its principles.

I have found that the binding qualities of such substances as sulfite liquor, molasses, and similar organic pitchy compounds obtained in the alcohol and sugar industries, are much improved. by adding sulfur, or sulfur containing salts or compounds thereto, particularly in that a satisfactorily weather resistant briquette may be produced with such a binder, by a heat treatment lasting for only about one half hour or even somewhat less, whereas briquettes having binders of sulfite liquor or similar substances have heretofore been unsatisfactory in their weather resisting qualities, even when subjected to heat treatment for a period of two or three hours;

The reduction in time of heat treatment results in a considerable decrease in expense of production, and my briquette is also superior from the standpoint of strength.

To prevent disintegration of the briquette by undue burning of the sulfur during heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere, I add a certain amount of sulfuric acid to the binder. The sulfuric acid acts during the heat treatment to extinguish quickly any flames which may be produced, and such burning as does take place, strikes inwardly, causing rapid penetration of heat to the center of the briquette and assisting carbonization.

Application filed December 4, 1925. Serial No. 73.258

To give a specific example of one mode'of carrying. out the invention, the binder'may consist of the following partsby weiglitz'l part of crude powdered sulfur, 3 parts commercial sulfuric acid, 78 parts jsu'lfite liquor- (standard concentrated) Water to make up 100 parts. The ingredients of the binder maybe mixed cold in any suitable mixing apparatus, the proportions above given not bein at all critical.

Anthracite fines, Or other coal desired to be employed, will then be mixed with the binder and formed into briquettes in the usual manner.

The heat treatment of the briquettes may I be carried out by means of any suitable oven or furnace, in which the briquettes are 'raisedto a temperature somewhat under 700 F. for a period long enough to make them sufficiently weather resistant. Usually a period of about one half hour will be sufficient. I prefer 'to employ a long oven, through which the briquettes are carried by a suitable conveying apparatus, so as to raise their temperature gradually up to about 600650 F. If raised above 7 00 F.,

the binding powers of the sulfite liquor become impaired, and it is therefore not desirable to heat the briquettes above that point. The briquettes may then be quenched in any suitable manner.

l/Vhile aspecificembodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be obvious that many changes may be made therein without departing from its principles as set forth in the following claims.

I claim 1. A fuel briquette, comprising fine coal and a binder having sulfite liquor or the like and a relatively small percentage of sulfur in addition thereto which has been subjected to a carbonizing heat treatment at about 600-700 F.

2. A fuel briquette, comprising fine coal and a binder having sulfite liquor or the like in combination with sulfuric acid and a small percentage of sulfur in addition there-' to, which has been subjected to a carbonizing heat treatment at about 600700 F.

3. The-process of making fuel briquettes, which comprises mixing fine coal with a binder having sulfite liquor or the like and a relatively small percentage of sulfur in addition thereto, forming briquettes there of, and subjecting the briquettes to a heat treatment at about 600700 F for about one-half hour.

a. The process of making iuel briquettes, which comprises'mixing fine coal with a binder having suliite liquor or the like in combination with sulfuric acid and a relatively small percentage oi sulfur in addi tion thereto, forming briquettes thereof,

of, and subjecting the briquettes to a low temperature carbonizing heat treatment to render them Weather resistant.

(SfThe process of making fuel briquettes,

which comprises mixing fine coal with a binder having sullite liquor or the like in combination with"sulfuri c acid and a relativelysmall percentage of sulfur in addition thereto, forming"briquettes'thereof, and subjecting the briquettes toa low temperature carbonizing heat treatment weather resistant,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of November; 1925 JOHN P. DELZEIT.

to render them 

